It was to the same conclusion that the rest of the castle had reached by the next morning. From then on, navigating the palace became a true challenge. At any moment, one could get knocked over by valets or maids rushing through the corridors, arms laden with items. Normally, such behavior wouldn't be tolerated, but there were so many preparations to be made that a certain tolerance had settled in. The court buzzed with the same frenetic energy. Horses had to be selected and prepared, carriages meticulously polished.

Even though no one expected him to participate in the preparations, Jasper found himself quite occupied as well. Each passing day, he spent more time in his office dealing with the accumulating requests.

— People are worried about your upcoming departure," the young noble serving as his secretary had told him.

Jasper realized he had underestimated his influence. It had been two years since he had started investing in the well-being of the population, and only now did he understand how much his actions mattered.

Most of the time, he was interrupted at least three times during each work session by valets bringing him new messages. The requests varied. Invitations to charity balls he regretfully declined, requests for funding from the war orphanage he sponsored, solicitations for appointments from an engineer wanting to present his brand-new, revolutionary invention... The entire kingdom's activities unfolded before his eyes.

— When you're married, you'll have to delegate some of your current tasks to your wife, or you'll never manage," his secretary remarked one day, adjusting his glasses. "As the heir, your responsibilities will only grow heavier."

— We'll see with her; I wouldn't want to burden her with responsibilities she hasn't chosen," Jasper replied with a lightness he didn't truly feel.

He tried to imagine Princess Acacia at the neighboring desk, furrowing her brows at a stack of mail. Perhaps they'd discuss kingdom affairs while nibbling on cookies. They might even compile task lists together? A shiver ran through him at this idyllic image. Danger, beware! his mind warned. This was exactly what Mother had cautioned them against.

Jasper snapped out of his reverie and hastened to finish his work. He disliked realizing his evident lack of concentration.

The eve of departure arrived too quickly. Jasper spent the day pacing in his room like a caged bear. The trunk wide open in the middle of his room seemed to bother him. He counted the pairs of gloves stored inside several times. Were there enough? For riding, for a formal ball, or for a more casual outing... it would have been unthinkable to use the same for all occasions.

He pulled out several of his jackets to check if the buttons had been properly polished before folding them back in place.

— Would His Highness perhaps prefer to do my job for me?" his valet asked from behind, appearing with a stack of neatly folded laundry.

Caught in the act, Jasper straightened up and clasped his hands behind his back.

— Not at all, Stone, come now," he exclaimed. "Your service is perfect, I wouldn't know what to do without you. I'd likely forget half of it.

— I can confirm that a trunk filled with pairs of gloves won't be of much use to you in the Dusk Kingdom.

Stone placed the stack of clothes on a chair and checked if the trunk's contents hadn't been too disturbed by his master, maintaining his offended air. As he worked, a sharp knock sounded at the door, which opened without waiting.

— His Majesty the King!" announced a guard.

King Lapis entered and headed straight for his son. The valet bowed and left the room through another door.

— I see the preparations are coming along well," observed the king, casting a meaningful glance at the open trunk.

— Yes, Father, my things are almost ready to be loaded.

— Thank the Mighty Golden Dragon for that, you don't have nearly as many trinkets as your sister. She's already had three trunks loaded. Ah, women and their vain coquetry...

— Beryl isn't needlessly coquettish!" protested Jasper. "She knows perfectly well she needs outfits for every situation, even those we wouldn't think of. We must make a good impression and leave nothing to chance, as you yourself have recommended.

— Certainly, certainly, you're right...

King Lapis wandered around the room, weighing a knickknack here, stopping by the window there.

— I'm pleased to see your involvement, both of you. I have one last thing to ask of you. You need to assess what kind of man Prince Willow is and give me a report upon your return. What he likes, what angers him. Try to make a friend of him. We mustn't forget he's the future sovereign of the Dusk.

Jasper nodded solemnly.

— As for your attire," continued the king with a hint of hesitation, "if you lament the lack of variety compared to your sister's, I brought you an accessory you'll appreciate. One that will add grandeur to any outfit."

He gestured, and the guard standing aside brought a long, narrow package. He unwrapped it, revealing a golden gleam. Jasper stepped back, understanding what it was.

— Your scabbard! Father, I can't accept this!

— Of course, you can," the king said, handing the object to his son. "You can and you must. We need to impress the people of Twilight to be taken seriously, and I no longer have much use for it."

Jasper took the scabbard with reverence. His fingers traced the golden scales covering it. The scales of the Mighty Golden Dragon itself. Making it an invaluable relic, one that all previous rulers had worn for a century.

The young prince couldn't take his eyes off the scabbard. It was magnificent. Under his touch, the scales were smooth and cold, their brilliance undimmed by the passage of decades.

— Thank you, Father," exclaimed Jasper, his throat tight. "I'll take great care of it. I'll be worthy of it, I promise.

— I'm counting on you, my son, my heir. And this gift is here to remind you of that.

King Lapis allowed a brief embrace before leaving, leaving his son stunned by this sudden display of affection.

That night, before going to bed, Jasper retrieved from a drawer in a chest the portrait brought by the messenger, which he had kept given his sister's obvious disinterest. He sat on the edge of his large bed and studied his betrothed, scrutinizing her posture, her smile, searching for any hint of her personality.

Would she be joyful and playful? Timid and reserved? Would she possess the sharp intelligence of a future queen he could rely on? Like his mother for his father?

Jasper knew there had never been love between his parents, but their partnership formed a formidable duo at the helm of the state. No one could doubt the complicity that had developed between them over the years.

It was reasonably the best outcome he could hope for his future couple. He had to face the truth. Love at first sight was rare, and they didn't live in a fairy tale.

Jasper slept late. His dreams were haunted by his father's gigantic shadow reminding him of his duties as an heir while he was traversing an endless desert.

At dawn, Stone roused him from bed by pulling the heavy velvet curtains wide open in his room.

— It's time, Your Highness, I hope you slept well. A long journey awaits you.

Jasper sat up in his pillows and grumbled, rubbing his eyes. The night had been short. He quickly inspected the travel clothes that had been prepared for him on a chair and seemed satisfied. He dressed in front of the large oval mirror, carefully arranging the muslin jabot around his throat. He left his room with one last sweeping glance.

In the intimate dining room reserved for the royal family, breakfast was quickly dispatched. Despite the elegance with which Beryl sipped her tea, Jasper immediately noticed from her puffy eyes that she had had as bad a night as he did.

Their parents took advantage of these last family moments to heap recommendations, most of which had already been made. Beryl welcomed them with a neutral face, nibbling on a round brioche. As delicious as the pastries served to them were, Jasper found it hard to swallow them and ended up wishing for a prompt departure.

When the plates were cleared, he was the first to rise.

In the grand entrance hall, footmen brought them traveling cloaks and head coverings. Thus attired, they finally stepped out. On the front steps bathed in a soft autumn sun, the carriages gleamed. They had been dusted meticulously, and every gilding had been polished to a shine. The harnessed horses looked just as impressive, their coats brushed and their manes artistically braided. They pawed the ground impatiently, awaiting the travelers.

The dignitaries who would accompany them on their journey were already there, conversing in small groups. Jasper and Beryl approached to greet them. There stood the High Priest of the Golden Dragon, accompanied by a priest and priestess who followed him like a shadow. He bestowed a brief nod upon the royal heirs.

— This journey is a true waste of time," he grumbled. "Making peace with heretics is painful enough; now we have to bow and smile at them..."

— Because the Mighty Golden Dragon never smiles or bows?" innocently questioned Beryl.

— Exactly, Your Highness, he crushes his enemies under his claws.

With a grave expression, the young girl nodded when the man slammed his fist into his palm.

— We'll remember that in Dusk territory, rest assured," she assured before moving away.

A few steps away, they recognized the fiery hair of Lady Spinel, engaged in a deep conversation with the representative of the merchant's guild, a small man with a solemn goatee. Both paused upon seeing them approach. Jasper bowed to kiss her hand, which she withdrew from the folds of the coat draped over her shoulders.

— My Lady, I'm delighted you're part of the journey," he said sincerely.

— I hope your sister shares your sentiment, Your Highness," she replied. "As she hasn't finished enduring my presence.

— What do you mean by that?" Beryl wondered.

— If I'm accompanying you today, it's to start scouting," explained Lady Spinel with a mysterious air.

Seeing the bewildered expressions of brother and sister, she laughed.

— As soon as your weddings are celebrated, I'll move with my family to the capital of Twilight as an ambassador," she explained. "I need to start getting used to their kingdom as soon as possible.

It was good news. Lady Spinel was a cheerful woman, and Jasper hoped her presence would soften the first months Beryl would spend away from the land where she had grown up.

The members of the escort began to gather and mount their horses under the direction of the captain of the guards who would be accompanying them. Irons and Sandon were part of it, a detail Jasper had personally overseen. The neighing and stamping of horses, the travelers' voices, gradually swelled. All the members of the delegation had now arrived. With the baggage having been loaded the day before, all that was left was to embark.

Fearing the departure might drag on, Jasper decided to set an example. With his sister on his arm, he approached the first carriage. In its blue and gold livery, the coachwoman held the door for his august passengers before climbing onto her seat. Jasper helped Beryl into the vehicle, then settled across from her as comfortably as he could on the cushioned benches. One of Beryl's maids of honor joined them. Miss Agate seemed both delighted and terrified by the adventure awaiting them.

— Make room, leave me a bit of space, young ones.

Lady Carnelian heaved herself heavily into the carriage and gathered the dark folds of her skirt around her. She was the queen's elder sister, the stern aunt Jasper had always feared in his childhood. The wrinkles framing her mouth only accentuated the austerity emanating from her.

Finally, the last to enter, Count Pyrite settled beside Jasper. He was a cousin with whom his father had always been close.

— I hope you've prepared something to occupy yourself during the journey," he said. "We're not going to arrive anytime soon.

— We were counting on your amiable conversation to entertain us, dear cousin," affirmed Beryl.

Pyrite chuckled contentedly, stroking his brown sideburns. Neither he nor Carnelian had any political role at court, nor any function that indicated their presence on this journey. Jasper deduced they were there solely to serve as chaperones.

Once everyone was settled, the coachmen cracked their whips. Finally, the carriages set off in a long procession, escorted by the mounted guards.

Destination, the Kingdom of Dusk.